“Last week’s news that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) intends to move towards requiring broker dealers to provide investment advice under a fiduciary standard is an encouraging sign that this important investor protection, long a Coalition priority, is gaining steam. We believe the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule provides a framework for an SEC rule that applies the same standards to advice beyond retirement plans and IRAs. Investors – whether receiving advice for retirement assets or other investments – deserve advice that is in their best interests. The Coalition looks forward to working with the SEC on this critical investor protection.”

“Congress’ latest move is an effort to derail critical reform needed to protect millions of Americans’ retirement savings. The Department of Labor, through careful deliberation and review, has crafted a final rule that brings additional consumer protections, preserves access to retirement advice and ensures financial service firms can continue to serve their clients. Many major financial services firms and organizations have signaled their support for the rule; Congress should now do the same.”

“The Financial Planning Coalition opposes any effort by Congress to thwart the Department of Labor’s final fiduciary rule, which reflects extensive public comment and articulates common-sense standards for ensuring financial advice in consumers’ best interest. Initial reactions from many financial services firms and professionals – across business models – have been largely supportive and focused on implementation rather than opposition. We strongly urge Congress to step back, respect the comprehensive feedback process, and not to interfere with final implementation of this important rule to benefit millions of American retirement savers.”

The Financial Planning Coalition – comprising Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) – issued the following statement regarding the Department of Labor’s (DOL) announcement of a final rule requiring fiduciary-level advice for all Americans’ retirement assets under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA):

“The Financial Planning Coalition applauds the Department of Labor for its commitment to American investors and retirement savers. Based on our initial review, this rule, achieved through an inclusive, comprehensive review process, carefully balances needed consumer protections with preserved access to retirement advice. The end result is a rule that will help bring millions of Americans much closer to a secure, dignified retirement. We urge Congress not to harm American investors and retirement savers by dismantling this important consumer protection.”

Note: Marilyn Mohrman-Gillis, CFP Board’s Managing Director of Public Policy, will speak on the Coalition’s behalf on a panel moderated by Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez to discuss the final rule and its impact during an event at the Center for American Progress. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and can be viewed at www.dol.gov/live. Follow the event and other developments related to the final rule’s release on Twitter with the hashtag #SaveYourSavings.

The Financial Planning Coalition – comprising Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) – issued the following statement regarding Secretary Perez’s discussion of the upcoming Department of Labor fiduciary rule during a hearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce:

“We commend Secretary Perez and the Department of Labor for taking steps to enhance protections for retirement savers and conducting an inclusive and thorough rulemaking process that has carefully sought and weighed input from all stakeholders. We remain optimistic that the final rule developed under Secretary Perez’s leadership will thoughtfully balance investor protections with access to reliable retirement advice and will allow millions of Americans to achieve financial security in retirement. We urge Congress not to further delay or derail this important consumer protection.”

“The Financial Planning Coalition calls on the Senate Banking Committee to confirm nominees Lisa Fairfax and Hester Peirce. We look forward to working with both new Securities and Exchange Commissioners and remain hopeful that with all five Commissioners in office, the Commission will fulfill its investor protection mission. This includes following Chair White’s recommendation to develop a uniform fiduciary standard for broker dealers who provide retail investment advice. An SEC fiduciary standard will provide meaningful protections to American investors.”